Cloth-covered button



June 2, 1953 4 w.'c:. scHUHR v CLOTH-COVERED BUTTON Filed April 7, 1951 4 INVENToR. Wzlz'anz Cf Schu/zr Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 9 Claims.

The present invention relates tobuttons, more particularly to cloth covered buttons which may be assembled without the use of tools or special apparatus and the invention has for an obj ect the provision of novel and inexpensive buttons' of this character.

In many instances it is desirable to provide inexpensive cloth covered buttons which may be assembled by the housewife with a material of her own choosing without requiring her to pay for an expensive press or similar apparatus for assembling the same. The present invention is particularly adapted for use by the housewife who wishes to change a few buttons on a dress without going to great expense, While certain cloth covered buttons have heretofore been proposed which can be assembled by persons without mechanical training, these devices have generally been found unsatisfactory in that the cloth covering is not tightly stretched over the head of the nished article but instead is rather loosely held thereon with the result that the cloth bunches upon the top of the button and an unsightly and unattractive product is produced which does not have the same appearance as the machine-made article.

Also, in such prior art arrangements, the type of button which can be hand assembled is limited to a plain cloth covered button of uniform design and such renements as inserts of contrasting materials and colors and multiple design cloth covered buttons have not been available to the housewife to add variety and style to the hand assembled buttons from which she may choose. Accordingly, it is a further important object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cloth covered button which may be assembled by hand and wherein the covering is tightly stretched over` the upper surface of the button in a permanent manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cloth covered button in which an insert of the same or contrasting material may be readily assembled and held in place without the use of special tools or apparatus.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cloth covered button whichvmay be assembled by hand and in which a separate insert, which may be covered with a material of similar or contrasting design to that of the main covering, is held in place by the main covering which is tightly drawn over the upper surface of the button.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention,

an upper hollow button member is provided with an aperture in the bottom wall thereof andthe cloth covering is placed over the upper surface of this member and tucked into the aperture. The upper member is provided with a frustoeconical flange portion which extends inwardly and upwardly into the aperture to provide a pulling surface. for the covering. AA lower button member is likewise provided which comprises a shank portion having a plurality of upstanding spring iingers spaced around the periphery thereof and provided with lateral ridges which press the cloth against the flange portion of the upper member as the lower member is inserted into the aperture in the upper member. The cloth is thus pulled along the surface of the flange thereby to stretch the cloth tightly over the surface of the upper member and when the lower member snaps over the edge of the flange portion it and the cloth are securely held in place. In another embodiment of the invention, the'upper member is provided with an aperture in the top wall adapted to receive an insert, which may be covered with cloth of a similar or contrasting color or design and which is held in place in a pocket formed in the main covering by tightly stretching the main covering as the lower member is inserted so as to close the pocket and hold the insert against the under edge of the top aperture.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an elevational sectional View, showing an improved cloth covered button embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the cloth covered button of Fig. 1 with the shank portion thereof positioned for insertion into the upper button member;

Fig. 3 shows the cloth Covered button of Fig. 1 with the shank portion thereof partially inserted into the aperture of the upper button member;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the shank portion of the button of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional view of certain parts which, when assembled, form another type of button embodying the present invention;

Fig. 6 is an elevational sectional view of a finished button employing the parts shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is a detail planview of one of the parts shown in Fig. 5. 4

Referring now to theydrawings, the cloth covered button of the `Ypresent invention comprises an upper button member which is indicated generally at I and which is preferably hollow, the member I0 having an aperture in the bottom surface thereof which is adapted to receive a lower shank member indicated generally at I I. A cloth, or other pliable covering, I2 is positioned on the upper surface of the top member IIJ and extends down the sides of the member I0 and is tucked into the aperture in 4the bottom surface thereof. In order that thecloth covering I2may` bev pulled tightlyagainst the surface of the member I 0, this member is provided with a flange portion I3 which extends inwardly and upwardly into `the interior of the top member. The angeJ3 thus provides on the inner surface thereof a smooth,

frusto-conical surface along Whichzthe-`edgemor tions of the covering I2 maybe pulled so as tightly to stretch the cloth covering Aoverthe outer surface of the top member. 'lhenpper surface of the top member IES may be of any dev.sired,.conguration, .depending on thestyle .and design .of ,the .1i-nal .clotlrcovered button. As .showin the .uppersurface .of the member iIIl is ...relatively flat. andthe member is .provided with an .upper .rounded .edge .I4 ,and .-,a gradually .,.curvedbottom. rim t5 .over which ,portions the .,clothcovering willslide freely. .Alternatively,.the Vtbpfsurface-of .the member; I I3 may4 takeadditional configurations .such as, fonexample, .either of the congurations shown in.. dotted..lines. at. I ii .or I '5. .'.In..or er.to..grip theeclgeportions of the. cloth .k coveringv I2 and. topulithe same vover theflange portion I.3 .so that the cover is tightly` stretched .overtheuppersurface ofthe top member le.' the shank portion II isprovided with. a plurality .,oftupstanding lspring. ngers-.E il-.which arespaced ...apart.bythecwidth of the slots. 2| .and .are posi- .tioned around thecircumference?. of .the shank .rmembe-r. I I. The .memberA I I..is. further. provided with Ta. `Cupfshaped central portion` 23 .which is provided with opposed. apertures r'M,...only one. of which-,-is.-shown, which.-ape1tures form; a. .button .eye: for. sewingtthe button to the desiredfabric.

In ,orden-.that vthe ngers. may,v ex. inwardly zupomengagement with the. fiangeportion Ida-nd toithe-end that various thicknesses ofpliable coverings may :be Vvaccommodated by. the-sametop and bottom buttonfmembers, thefshank member l I fispreferably constructed -by stamping thesame ffrome stainless steel `wherein vthestamping prec-ess 4produces .Workf hardening .of `the material sothat :the` spring fingers-24J: haveI the. correct. degreel of fhardneSsW-ithOut heat treatingI the same.

In order to provide a snap fastener .action 1xvi-hereby fthefshankiportion II -may tbe rmly ziockedi in, the positionshown in, Fig. .f l,-.thespring fingers 2G, which extend; generally inwardlyeand .upWa-rdlyzinfa I'marmersimilarto the iiange: porftion 13,:are provided -;with fa 4.reentrant"portion 25 which dienes :a groove adapted to Lreceive .the liprofttheflange .portion |3. .Each of the f. spring' fingers Y 29- isy further provided with .ai pluralityoflaterally extendingI ridges 28 on .the .outer -surfaee thereof .-whichgrip. the adjacent `surface of the pliable covering and pullftheasame into ,the. aperture asf thefshank; portion I I :is inserted rinto ,the ftop -button .member i I0.

Considering.- now.the-manner4 in which the covferng I2 fis tightly stretched over the outer surlface of .the topbuttonmernber.when the. shank member is inserted thereinto, reference may now ":behai to Rigs. ,.2 Aand 3-whereinparticular-steps of the insertion are shown. Thus,vreferring.to './FigfiZfthefshankmember Il is. illustrated in its .initfialg` position 4when y. the spring .fingers 1 20 `iirst .1I-final position shown fin-Figli.

press the edge portions of the covering I2 against the flange I3. in this position it is obvious that the ridges 2B along the portions of the spring fingers 28 engage the covering along a substantial portion of the flange I 3 and, accordingly, provide a substantial gripping area. Furthermore. as the under surface of the flanged portion I3 is smooth and the adjacent portions of the fingers 2d are provided with the ridges 28, the #two surfaces cer-act toiipull' the:l edge portions of `the covering along the'flange portion I3 as the shank member I I is inserted into the opening. TWhen the shank member I I reaches the position fshow-n-invFig. 3, it is evident that the cloth covering has been moved inwardly by a substantial efamountso'asI to stretch the covering tightly over theupper. surface of the top member I0.

As the shank member is moved slightly further f'inwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3, the spring fingers 2i) snap outwardly and the re- 'fentrantg portion-25fengagestthoi lip -of--the'ange f I-3 so-fastoe-secure theV shanki porti-oni I I/in the Inasm-uchf as=lthe "undeiwsides: ofy thengers 2 Il :are also L provided i Withthe laterally-'extending ridges 12S thetcloth covering does not slip back as the lshankportion "isgslipped into place but insteadapcontinuous pull isfexerted i thereon fas the rshank rportionfrsnaps tovertheflan'ge I3. v.While the angle atv-.which the Vlrangeg portion I'3f yextendsinwarollyfand=.11pwardiy dna-y vary .considerablyr it4 will fbez-understood fthat the fiange I 3 preferably :provides a smooth surface .which is substantially #parallel '..to thecorresponding;ridgedfsurface'ofthe fingers F 12B .softhatfthercioth'coveringmayzbe'pulled a substantial distance along :the undersurface of .the flange as' the. shankmember: isa snapped. into place. 'Thus it '.will.be:apparent 'thatiif fthe flange member I3 z is 'substantially .horizontal a .smooth pulling:.action is r not produced tbetween L'theedgesroi'the flange I 3f and theridges'f28 .and f the'covering will not Ibe heldtightlyinfplace.

Whilewthef-shank member I I oflFigfaI may-be fi'it'ilized `with I'top 'zbutton members of any v desired.' configuration, this shank f memberis particularly adapted for usesvith' a top ibuttonmem- 'ber in which there? isi incorporated; a.' cloth covered insert such as is 'illustrated in'Figs. 5,`61an`d 7. Thus, referring to'these igures, la'.toprifmember i3!) isfprovided .with-I an-'apertureiinthe top surface =thereo`f which. aperture i is4 adapted I to ,ref ceive f--an l insert J il which 1' isy of I larger diameter than the f-top openingl landl is preferably' stamped `from'sheet-metalto provide sufcent resiliency `so=that thee'dgefportions "4Ir thereof which :are preferably inthe form of serrationsfas` shown' in lFig. may bend upwardly to-allow' theinsertll to be pushed through the top opening. vThe' insert til-may'beprovided with a cloth or'other pliable covering l2 whichis positioned on'the top'surfacethereof.

HIn 4order 'to' support theciothl covered insert-M0 in "a :position adjacent'the top opening of`the upper buttonmember'lfthe main coveringSI is pushed into the top opening so as to'form a ,pocketjindicated in dotted'lines at"32 inFig. 5. As. the insert'lill isA pushed into' the pocket'formed bythe main covering '3I, the serrationsM of'the I insert .ben'd upwardly' to'perxnit insertion. When -the edge portions ofthe insert have cleared'the .rim`33'adjacentto'theltop opening of the'mem- `ber SiL'they spring'outwardly to their 4original shape. "Thefinsert'lI-Ilis thuspositioned within the rim 33. In order to hold the insert 40 .tightly against the rim 33, the main covering 3l istightly stretched by insertion into the upper button member 30 of a shank member ll, which is preferably identical with the shank member illustrated in Figs. 1 through 4, the member 30 being provided with an inwardly and upwardly extending iiange portion 3d in a manner entirelyy similar to the upper button member l0. As the shank member Il is inserted into the bottom aperture of the member 30, the ridges 23 thereof engage the edge portions of the main covering 3l and pull the same along the flange 3A so that the slack originally produced in the insert receiving pocket 32 is taken up and the insert Ml is tightly held against the rim 33. While the insert 40 has been illustrated as having a substantially flat upper surface, it will be understood that this insert, as well as the top portion of the member 30, may have any desired configurationA For example, the top surface of the insert 4l) mayftake the form shown in dotted lines at M.

The serrations 4l on the insert l0 also function to hold the cloth covering 42 securely on the insert 4b while the insert is being pressed into the pocket 32, the edge portions of the covering 42 engaging the sharp points of the serrations 4I to maintain the covering 42 tightly stretched over the upper surface of the insert. It will be understood, moreover, that the insert 40 may be positioned as shown in Fig. 6 by first placing the cloth covered insert in the center of the main covering 3| and then pushing the edges of the covering 3l out through the top opening of the member 30 around the sides thereof and back into the bottom opening. With such an arrangement, a solid, inexible insert may be used. It will further be understood that the insert need not be cloth covered but may comprise a metallic or wooden disk having any desired ornamentation thereon.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention provides an improved cloth covered button structure which may be assembled by hand and in which the covering is tightly stretched over the outer surface of the top button member by providing a smooth frusto-conical fiange portion on the top member and a co-acting ridged surface on the shank member which pulls the edge portions of the covering along the surface of the flange as the. shank member is snapped into place. Also, the present invention provides a cloth covered button having a twopiece top member in which individual members maybe of similar or contrasting design and wherein` the cloth covered insert is held in place by supporting the same within a pocket formed in the main button covering which pocket is contracted to hold the insert tightly in place by pulling the edges of the main covering into the interior of the top button member as the shank member is snapped intov place.

While there have been Adescribed what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims,

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States l. A cloth covered button, comprising a cupshaped button member having the sides thereof extending inwardly and upwardly to form a frusto-conical surface, a pliable covering sur- .rounding the outer surface of Asaid button member and extending over saidsurface into theinterior thereof, and a unitary shank memberincluding a button feye portion and a plurality of upstanding spring iingersspaced around the periphery thereof, said `spring fingers having a series of laterally extending ridges thereon adapted to engage the edge -portions vof said covering as said shank member is fitted into said button member, Iwhereby said cloth covering is tightly stretched over the outer surface of said upper member and extending into said aperture,

f and a unitary shank member including a button 2()r eye portion yand a plurality of upstandingI spring fingers spaced about the periphery thereof, each of said spring fingers having a reentrant portion intermediate the length thereof to define a groove therein and having a series of laterally extending ridges thereon adapted to engage said cloth covering as said shank member is fitted into said upper member whereby said cloth covering is stretched tightly over the outer surface of said upper member as said shank member is snapped into place over the inner edge of said aperture defining surface.

3. A cloth covered button, comprising an upper hollow button member having an aperture in the bottom wall thereof and having an inwardly and upwardly extending flange portion adjacent said aperture, a pliable covering surrounding the outer surface of said upper member and having the edge portions thereof extending over said ange portion and into said aperture, and a shank member having a plurality of upv standing spring fingers spaced about the periphery thereof, the top portions of said lingers extending inwardly and upwardly to form a surface interfltting .with lsaid flanged portion, said fingers having a reentrant portion intermediate the length thereof defining a ange receiving groove and having a series of laterally extending ridges thereon, the edge portions of said covering being gripped between said flange portion and said top portions and pulled into said aperture as said shank member is inserted into said upper member to a position in which said groove is` snapped'over the lip of said flangel portion :thereby to maintain said covering tightly stretched over said upper member.

4.v A cloth covered button structure, comprising an upper button member having an aperture extending inwardly from the bottom surface thereof and having an annular flange portion extending inwardly into said aperture, a cloth cover surrounding the outer surface of said upper member and extending into said aperture, and a unitary lower button member comprising a shank portion having a button eye therein and a plurality t' of upstanding spring fingers spaced about the upper edge of said shank portion and arranged to enter said aperture, said spring fingers having a reentrant portion intermediate the length thereof defining an annular groove about the periphery of said lower member and having a series of laterally extending ridges thereon adapted to engage said cloth covering as said lower member is fitted into said upper member, whereby said cloth covering is stretched tightly over the surface of said upper member and 

